Jean Bugatti, a visionary designer and engineer, left an indelible mark on the automotive world with his pioneering creations. His legacy continues to inspire, with the Type 55 standing as a testament to his exceptional talent.
The Type 55 Super Sport, a motorsport marvel, featured a 2.3-litre straight-eight engine derived from the renowned Type 51 racer. What distinguished it was the coveted two-seater roadster body designed by Jean Bugatti. As Bugatti’s first Super Sport, the Type 55 set the standard for future models, redefining grand touring with a top speed of 180 km/h while seamlessly blending comfort and performance.
Jean Bugatti’s genius extended beyond engineering. He introduced the groundbreaking duotone paint scheme, inspiring Bugatti’s iconic contemporary A/B colour split. Today, the most revered Type 55 model is adorned in the timeless black and yellow combination.
The Type 55 Super Sport is a rare gem, with only 38 units ever produced, making it a highly coveted collector’s piece. Its legacy, as the pioneer of the Grand Prix car for the road segment, captivated a Chiron Super Sport customer and the Sur Mesure team.
For the customer and Jascha Straub, Manager of Sur Mesure and Individualization at Bugatti, the ‘55 1 of 1’ commission was an opportunity to honour Jean Bugatti’s groundbreaking designs. Straub noted, “Even 100 years after his time, we have remained totally connected to Jean and his designs. Inspiration for us today still comes from Jean because he understood proportions better than anybody else and was the first to offer cars combining comfort and sheer performance. Imagine, almost 100 years ago, the Type 55 was able to reach 180 km/h.”
Straub collaborated closely with the customer and the Bugatti partner in Dubai to delve into the marque’s rich history, capturing the essence of the Type 55 Super Sport and seamlessly infusing it into the design of the contemporary Chiron Super Sport. The project aimed to offer a modern interpretation of the original car’s distinctive elements.
“At Bugatti, our commitment to bespoke craftsmanship is epitomized by our Sur Mesure program. Our team perfectly manages to reinterpret our brand’s iconic classic cars, creatively blending the past with a contemporary approach and innovative techniques. Our latest commission, inspired by the timeless elegance of Jean Bugatti’s iconic black and yellow Type 55 Super Sport, pays homage to a car that represents a milestone in the history of the brand. The ’55 1 of 1’ infuses the spirit of one of Bugatti’s most pioneering models and is testament to the fact that Jean’s vision not only continues to shape our entire design and engineering ethos to this day but also inspires our customers worldwide, and in this case in the United Arab Emirates.”
Hendrik Malinowski – Managing Director, Bugatti Automobiles
The Sur Mesure team focused on the duotone paint scheme introduced by Jean with the Type 55, utiliuing the black and yellow combination favoured by Ettore Bugatti. On the Chiron Super Sport, these colors not only portray dynamism but also visually break up the expansive surfaces of the hyper sports car. The design process balanced colouring specific areas with maintaining overall design cohesion. The black centerline, reminiscent of the Type 55, is a dominant focal point, further embellished by the grille design and sleek yellow lines flowing from the rear side to the fenders.
Throughout the creative development, Bugatti worked intensively to modernise elements of the Type 55 while respecting Jean Bugatti’s early pioneering work. The ‘55 1 of 1’ commission features a meticulously hand-applied fading ‘55’ pattern above the headlights and over the fenders, drawing attention to the horseshoe grill and narrowing the front end’s appearance. This recalls the distinctive fuselage shape of its predecessor, imparting a feeling of elegance, strength, and speed.
The ‘55 1 of 1’ balances bold styling with minimalist black 10-spoke wheels. A yellow ‘EB’ emblem in the centre delicately connects the alloy design to the Chiron Super Sport’s bodywork. The underside of the rear wing provides a distinct link to the design’s roots with ‘55 1 of 1’ written in cursive, paying homage to the masterpiece that inspired this artistic creation.
Jean’s meticulous attention to detail extends to the interior. The cabin features sleek black leather, further accentuating the exterior aesthetic, with unique accents such as embroidered headrests displaying the ‘55 1 of 1’ inscription. The fading ‘55’ motif continues, skilfully hand-stitched into the door panels in vibrant yellow.
In recognition of Jean Bugatti’s visionary contributions, his signature is prominently placed on the door sill and the car’s dedication plate. These interior details underscore the aesthetic allure of the Chiron Super Sport and create a deep connection between the driver and the storied heritage of the Bugatti brand.
Hendrik Malinowski, Managing Director at Bugatti Automobiles, remarked, “At Bugatti, our commitment to bespoke craftsmanship is epitomised by our Sur Mesure program. Our team perfectly manages to reinterpret our brand’s iconic classic cars, creatively blending the past with a contemporary approach and innovative techniques. Our latest commission, inspired by the timeless elegance of Jean Bugatti’s iconic black and yellow Type 55 Super Sport, pays homage to a car that represents a milestone in the history of the brand. The ‘55 1 of 1’ infuses the spirit of one of Bugatti’s most pioneering models and is testament to the fact that Jean’s vision not only continues to shape our entire design and engineering ethos to this day but also inspires our customers worldwide, and in this case in the United Arab Emirates.”
Bugatti Automobiles extends its gratitude to the Musée National de l’Automobile in Mulhouse for the generous loan of the original Bugatti Type 55 chassis no. 55237, photographed alongside the Chiron Super Sport ‘55 1 of 1’ on Bugatti premises.
Located in Mulhouse, Alsace, the Musée National de l’Automobile houses over 600 revolutionary and emblematic automotive creations, including more than 100 of Bugatti’s most acclaimed models, each meticulously acquired by the Schlumpf brothers over three decades. From the Bugatti Type 28 to the Bugatti Royale and the Bugatti Veyron, each car is hand-picked for its historic significance and breathtaking proportions.
